Inside the Thrilling Anticipation: A Glimpse into the 2015 Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka

All eyes are set on the Japanese Grand Prix happening on Sunday, September 27, 2015, at Suzuka. Fans are eager to see if the surprising results from the last race in Singapore were just a one-off or if they signal a real shift in the balance of power in Formula One racing. Sebastian Vettel’s win with Ferrari wasn’t a huge shock—he’s done it before. Nor was it entirely unexpected that Lewis Hamilton’s Mercedes had issues; mechanical failures happen in this sport. What caught everyone’s attention was how much slower the Mercedes cars were compared to not just Ferraris but also Red Bulls all weekend. If this pace continues, Hamilton’s lead in the championship could be in jeopardy in the remaining races.

Red Bull’s sudden resurgence in Singapore was quite the surprise. Daniel Ricciardo not only finished second but also clocked the fastest lap of the race. His teammate, Daniil Kvyat, finished sixth, while the final podium spot went to Ferrari’s Kimi Räikkönen.

Nico Rosberg, Hamilton’s teammate, managed to finish fourth, which cut Hamilton’s championship lead to 41 points. Both guys will be keeping an eye on Vettel, who’s now just eight points behind Rosberg.

The Toro Rosso team also had a great showing in Singapore, with Max Verstappen and Carlos Sainz finishing eighth and ninth, respectively. Other racers who scored points were Williams’ Valtteri Bottas in fifth, Force India’s Sergio Perez in seventh, and Sauber’s Felipe Nasr in tenth. A shoutout also goes to Marussia’s Alexander Rossi for a commendable 14th place finish in his debut Grand Prix.

Japanese Grand Prix

The Suzuka circuit, known for its figure-of-eight layout, is tough on tyres but not as hard on brakes. The barriers are very close to the track, so even small mistakes can result in race-ending crashes. Despite this, most drivers love the challenge of Suzuka’s fast corners. Originally designed as a Honda test track, it’s still used for this purpose and is located within an amusement park.

Lewis Hamilton won here last year, while Sebastian Vettel has claimed victory at Suzuka four out of the last six seasons. Jenson Button took the win in 2011. Other previous winners racing this weekend are Fernando Alonso, who won in 2006, and Kimi Räikkönen, who charged from 17th on the grid to win in 2005. Just like the past two years, Pirelli will provide medium and hard tyres for the race due to the abrasive track surface, and there’s a chance of rain according to the weather forecast.

News From the Pitlane

Force India has confirmed Sergio Perez will stay with the team next season alongside Nico Hulkenberg. However, Jenson Button remains undecided about his future with the struggling McLaren team following another poor performance in Singapore.

The big question for next season is whether Red Bull and their feeder team, Toro Rosso, will find a new engine supplier now that Mercedes has declined. Ferrari hasn’t decided yet, and it’s rumored that Sebastian Vettel opposes the idea. While there are whispers of Volkswagen and Audi stepping in, it seems unlikely. Honda is also a long shot as they’re focused on fixing their engine problems with McLaren. Red Bull might have to reconcile with Renault if they want to stay competitive.

Standings After 13 Grands Prix

Constructors:
1. Mercedes – 463 points
2. Ferrari – 310 points
3. Williams – 198 points
4. Red Bull – 139 points
5. Force India – 69 points
6. Lotus – 50 points
7. Toro Rosso – 41 points
8. Sauber – 26 points
9. McLaren – 17 points
10. Manor Marussia – 0 points

Drivers:
1. Lewis Hamilton – 252 points
2. Nico Rosberg – 211 points
3. Sebastian Vettel – 203 points
4. Kimi Räikkönen – 107 points
5. Valtteri Bottas – 101 points
6. Felipe Massa – 97 points
7. Daniel Ricciardo – 73 points
8. Daniil Kvyat – 66 points
9. Sergio Perez – 39 points
10. Romain Grosjean – 38 points
11. Max Verstappen – 30 points
12. Nico Hulkenberg – 30 points
13. Felipe Nasr – 17 points
14. Pastor Maldonado – 12 points
15. Fernando Alonso – 11 points
16. Carlos Sainz – 11 points
17. Marcus Ericsson – 9 points
18. Jenson Button – 6 points